What are the concentrations?• Youth Development: to produce professionals who are academically, theologically, and culturally competent to serve youth in an urban context.• Community Development: To produce professionals who are competent to work with communities to revitalize their physical, economic, and social infrastructure.• Community Arts: to prepare artist practitioners to become effective leaders committed to transforming urban communities.

What career paths will I have upon finishing this degree?• Youth Development: social services, urban youth ministry, community organizer, program director, activist, researcher. You will be equipped with tools for starting innovative models and programs.• Community Development: Students are prepared to work in a variety of fields addressing the complex needs of neighborhoods and may work through community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, governmental and non-governmental agencies, social service agencies, or foundations.• Community Arts: Students are prepared to implement strategies to utilize the arts in community service and mission; initiate a new arts-integrated community program within a church or community organization; supervise artists as teachers and community workers; develop curricula for specific learning goals; implement a funding development plan; and manage arts-integrated projects, including financial and personnel oversight and program evaluation.

Do I have to relocate to complete this degree?No. We have students all over the country and the world who are able to complete this blended online residency program. Students come to Philadelphia for residencies twice a year in the Community Development and Youth Development concentrations and three times a year for the Community Arts concentration.

Can I complete this degree while having a full time job?Yes! Classes are offered in a blended online residency format, which includes online learning and residencies. Every semester includes a 7-8 day residency, which offers on-ground instensive classroom experiences as well as field trips and other learning activities. Every semester there is one class offered in a traditional format for students who live locally.

What is the format of the classes?The program is offered in a blended online residency format. That means it’s delivered in a hybrid of online and on-the-ground classes. Every semester, students are required to attend one residency. These residencies last 7-8 days. Classes for the residencies are on the ground in Philadelphia. Prior to and after the residencies you will participate in an online classroom for discussions, videos, etc. There are sometimes teleconferences as well. For those who live locally there is at least one course per semester delivered in a traditional, weekly, on-the-ground format. It's typically scheduled one evening a week.

Does Eastern University offer institutional aid?Yes! While in the MA of Urban Studies program, you have the opportunity to apply for the following awards: Grants Student Employment (for local students)

The application deadlines for this academic year are:Community Development and Youth Development concentrations: July 15 (fall 2014) and November 1 (spring 2015)Community Arts Concentration: April 1 (summer 2015)